The presence of a hot spring at Hierapolis and the spectacular calcium deposits from its water spilling over the nearby hillside suggest that there should be evidence of an early settlement there. The oldest Inscription found so far, however, indicates it was founded by Eumenes II, king of Pergamon, in the latter part of the second century B.C.; it soon became a busy industrial center.
Pagan worship in the city centered around Cybele, Apollo, Artemis, Men, Poseidon, and Pluto. Underneath the Temple of Apollo has been found the Plutonium, an opening in the earth from which a noxious gas still comes. The temple is between the pool where the hot spring rises and the large theater on the side of the hill. To the north along the rim of the plateau is a long avenue of tombs.
Traditionally St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis. Fairly recently Italian archeologlsts have discovered his Martyrium, an octagonal chamber forming a double cross surrounded by a square. This is almost due north of the theater, also on the side of the hill. It was a fifth century A.D. building and did not last much more than 100 years. No tomb was found with it although that was expected. There are several ruins of churches, one not far from the baths, one on the main road leading to the necropolis.
Hierapolis is listed in the New Testament along with Laodicea as the center of Epaphras’s work (Colos-sians 4:13). This was at the time Paul was writing to strengthen the message Epaphras was preaching and to condemn the “people who go in for self-mortification and angel-worship” (Colossians 2:18). Another less well-known resident of Hierapolis was Papias, a disciple of St. John and the author of the lost book called the Sayings of Jesus.
While Epaphras was is that area, a young slave was growing up in Hierapolis, a boy whose original name is unknown but whom we call by the Greek for “Acquired”, Epictetus. In his Discourses Epictetus often talks about the perfect missionary whose bed was the ground, whose only house the earth and sky and a shabby cloak, and who must love those who misuse him in the service of God. One wonders what the influence of those early Christians, many of whom were slaves themselves, was on this Stoic philosopher.
Hierapolis,
Our main reason for visiting Pamukkale was to see the travertines and antique pool but when we walked up past them we found that Hierapolis is in fact a wonderful ancient city with some well very well restored ruins, such as the latrines and main street, and the necropolis which is something I didn't see at other sites I visited….
Pamukkale is a place you can simply not afford to miss if you are holidaying in the Antalya area of Turkey. It's a long trek to get there, leaving early in the morning but you do stay overnight in a hotel which breaks up the journey and an evening meal is included in the price of the trip. You also…
The owner of our B&B convinced us to go to Pamukkale at 6AM to avoid the crowds and to see it at sunrise. While we were semi-unconscious from lack of sleep, I will say I was glad we were able to experience it without the masses of people. Everything was quite serene and spectacular. It's also fun to sit at…
The most beautiful place I've ever been. It's lovely to wade in and out of the thermal pools as you please whilst enjoying the amazing views. You will want to spend a few hours here to take it all in so please please DO NOT book with a tour group…it is expensive and it takes far too long picking up…
This was an amazing experience to walk up the white traverines, like nothing I have ever done before. It's best to go early in the morning when it has just opened to enjoy the cascading water without the huge crowds which continuously grew throughout the day. Was very hot walking around Hierapolis so remember to take plenty of water. Plenty…
Absolutely beautiful! We arrived by bus from Selchuk with reservations for 2 nights. It took us about an hour to hike up the travertine to the warm spring and Hierappolis at the top. You have to take your shoes off to walk on the travertine which can be a little tough on the tenderfooted. The warm pool at the top…
I took a tour here from Atalanta.
The calcium hills / terraces were very cool and the ancient city and theater were very cool. The biggest problem was time. We had 3 hours and it really was not enough to explore the whole area the rest of the day was used for bus travel and our tour company made many…
It's not Ephesus that can impress you. Well worth it to stay to watch the sunset from here.
This ancient city is unique all over the world. It is like Alice in the wonderland. Next to the antique ruins, temples, Roman baths, you have the snow white calcious waterfalls you can literally walk on.
Hierapolis, in Pamukkale, is well worth the visit. There are so many ruins that it is almost unbelievable, and you stroll past Roman column pieces as though they were just detritus. The amphitheater alone is worth the trip, although it is being restored at the moment, and you can not get to the stage. Imagine- it was nice just as…